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Author Topic: [40d16 REPORTED] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.  (Read 1812 times)

qoonpooka

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[40d16 REPORTED] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.
« on: December 20, 2009, 10:35:46 pm »
I like to use notepad to keep track of things like trade agreements, dwarf preferences, and who I shouldn't draft into the army...

Only thing is, if I input text into another window, the keyboard ceases functioning with DF. (EDIT: Actually, just alt-tabbing into Notepad will do this.)

There is a workaround: Clicking on DF in the taskbar (which minimizes it) and then clicking on it again will allow it to once more receive keyboard input.

Vista, btw.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 08:34:31 am by qoonpooka »
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Footkerchief

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Re: [40d16] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2009, 01:00:04 pm »
Yeah, same issue that we were discussing in this recent thread.  Baughn has been working on overhauling 40d16's input system, so hopefully it's already fixed.
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profit

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Re: [40d16] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.
« Reply #2 on: December 24, 2009, 01:11:39 am »
there is also another fix...

I don't know why, but if you press the ALT button once, DF will once again start accepting input.

Well least on my computer.. Maybe mines the only one.
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qoonpooka

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Re: [40d16] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2009, 11:11:03 am »
That's interesting.  That suggests that the DF window has an invisible, zero-option menu that is creating a menu bar which activates when you hit 'alt'  Given the keyboard input quirkiness of DF I wonder if it's not registering that you un-pressed ALT and thinking you want to get into the menu bar?
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Jay

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Re: [40d16] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2009, 01:13:44 pm »
More likely that ALT is a modifier akin to SHIFT, and since you're holding ALT down and not releasing before DF loses focus, it assumes you're still holding it, and so all keypresses are registered as ALT+key, which, just like SHIFT+key, will not register as the unmodified key.
This actually happens in a lot of programs, just that most of them tend to ignore the ALT modifier in the first place.  (Most notably to prevent you from ALT+F4ing out)
Easy solution: If you're running windowed, click out, don't tab out.  If you're running full-screen..  I don't see the advantage to that at all, since there's so much to DF beyond the main window..
Stonesense, any of the 3D visualizers, Companion, Therapist, any notes you might need in Notepad...
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Mraedis

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Re: [40d16] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2009, 07:21:31 am »
Just pressing alt when stuck is way easier than actually paying attention to all that nonsense.  :P
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Footkerchief

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Re: [40d16] Keyboard fail when using other programs at the same time.
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2009, 01:05:26 pm »
By the way, qoonpooka, you can retitle this thread to say "already reported" or something.
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